Course
Description:
The
overall goal of the Connected Mathematics curriculum is to help students develop
sound mathematical habits. Units have been developed in six strands: number,
geometry, measurement, probability, statistics, and algebra. It is desirable for
the student to keep the "big picture" in mind as they deal with the
specific goals in each unit.
By
the end of grade six, students will understand the four arithmetic operations as
they relate to positive rational numbers; convert between and compute with
different forms of rational numbers; understand the concept of ratio and solve
problems using proportional reasoning; understand and use line and rotational
symmetry; determine the surface area and volume of solid figures; use variables
to represent unknown quantities in formulae, algebraic expressions and
equations; utilize data to make predictions; and determine the probability of a
given event. Please visit the Department of Education website (www.doe.k12.ga.us)
or the Instruction page found on the Gainesville City Schools website (www.gcssk12.net
) to view the state standards and our pacing guides in further detail.
Rationale:
I
believe we engage in mathematics not only for its application but also for its
inherent beauty and interest. Together, we will become skilled mathematicians as
well as confident problem solvers. As we study the mathematical content in this
course, let’s always be asking questions like “Why?” ‘What if?”
“Always?” After all, new ideas
and inventions come from just such questions!
Materials:
Our
study of mathematics will be a wonderful and exciting journey! As with any
journey, it’s a good idea to prepare. So here are the items I expect you to
bring to class every day.
A
3-ring binder (no spiral notebooks, please) with sections in the
following order
Section
1.
Pencil
Pouch 1 Pencil
Pouch – hole-punched to fit your math notebook
(Includes
No. 2 pencils, Colored Pencils or Markers, 1 red pen or pencil and 1 yellow
highlighter. Note, a ruler and a four-function calculator are optional as we
have those supplies for in class use.)
Current
Course Text Booklet
(you will be issued a new booklet at the beginning of each unit. If you fail to
turn in the booklet for the previous unit, the cost will be $10 to
replace it.)
Important
Documents
(course syllabus, homework policy, etc.)
Section
2.
Paper.
This
section should always be filled with notebook paper so you can
easily find it.
Section
3. Investigations
(in class) and ACE
Problems
(homework)
Section
4.
Journal.
You will be writing a variety of reflections on mathematical concepts
in this section. Please keep you journal entries numbered.
Section
5.
Notes.
This section will contain class notes, handouts, etc.
Section
6.
Glossary.
Vocabulary is very important aspect of studying math.
Section
7.
Assessments.
The
section is where you will file tests, quizzes and projects.
Grading
Policy:
As defined by a school wide policy for 6th grade courses, final grades
for each semester will be calculated using the following percentages
60% Daily Grades (including
In-class Investigations, Journals, Labs, Participation and Quizzes)
10% Homework (ACE Problems)
30%
Unit Tests and Projects
Homework
Policy:
I believe that homework is
designed to enable students to assess their own knowledge of a given topic.
Homework is to help a student learn! Therefore, I do not grade homework with
respect to right and wrong answers. I fully expect students to return to class
the following day with questions about specific problems… we use homework as a
tool to help us learn. Please encourage this orientation to homework at your
home.
- With respect to
missed homeworks, Gainesville Middle School and High School state the following:
- Excused Absences:
Students who have an excused absence will have one day for every day that is an
excused absence, with a minimum of two (2) days to make up missed homework.
Example: Students absent for three consecutive days (3) days will have
three (3) days to make up all homework.
- Unexcused
Absences:
Students who have an unexcused absence will be able to make up missed
homework in the same time period as for excused absences. However, the maximum
grade for homework submitted after an unexcused absence is 70 percent.
- Homework Not Turned
In On Time: Students who are not
absent, but do not turn in homework on time may be assigned that day or the next
day to the Homework Lab to complete homework assignment.
Students who attend the Homework Lab and complete their work may only
achieve a maximum score of 90 percent on the homework assignment.
It is your responsibility to find out what you
missed while you were absent!!
Time
Outside of Class
You
cannot expect to accomplish what you should from this course without spending
time with Algebra outside of class. As well as completing daily homework
assignments, you need to stay organized, spend time reviewing notes and
assignments, carefully reflect on problems previously missed, etc. It is my
expectation that you spend approximately 20 minutes each evening (Mon – Thurs)
with homework and use the weekend to study, work on projects, review, get caught
up etc. Please communicate with me
as soon as possible if you are having trouble managing your time or if you find
you are spending significantly more than 20 minutes an evening working on math.
I truly want to help you get the most out of this course you can.
